October 17/18 2009

Mark the tape everybody, just last week I was talking about the vulnerability of the Top Teams and the ability of Aston Villa to regain form. Check it.

Something I was less sure about was the durability of Sunderland, I was really impressed with their combative performance against Chelsea earlier in the season. On that occasion they ran out of steam in the second half and Chelsea were able to find space between an exhausted midfield. I felt that this would be a recuring theme as Steve Bruce has a assembled an impressive first team without much cover or quality on the bench. This may still cone to fruition as the reliance on the two forwards and central midfielders could be there downfall over a hard season. I wouldn't be surprised if they make at least two signings in January to push on for a Europa League spot. I believe that fight will be between them, Aston Villa and Everton for that final European position.

Something else I mentioned was the lack of quality in the bottom half of the Premier League, in particular the inability to defend. It looks like being a long hard season for Portsmouth, Hull, and Wolves. Although West Ham have started poorly I can see them gaining points sooner rather than later on what is an amazingly modest squad. However I don't see that starting this weekend as Arsenal are the visitors to Upton Park. The Gunners continued there impressive home form and were comfortable winners against Birmingham without looking like replicating the barrage of goals they secured the week before.

Manchester City gained another point at Wigan after playing the last 25 minutes with 10 men. That's two gutsy draws away from Eastlands in a row now as they come to terms with everyone raising there game when they arrive. On the other side of Manchester, United secured a slim and nervy victory over Bolton who could have scored a last minute equalizer. It could have been more for United but they are looking uncharacteristically nervous at the back and the better teams should be able to cut off supply to the strikers. We'll see on Saturday if Liverpool are able to succeed where Arsenal did last month (although they ended losing , somehow.)